The North Platte River through Northgate Canyon in the Routt National Forest offers a secluded 2-day wilderness adventure near the Colorado-Wyoming border. This scenic section features Class II-III rapids interspersed with calm water perfect for fly fishing, set against a backdrop of rolling ranch lands and forested mountainsides. The river flows through remote terrain with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and peaceful riverside campsites. With fewer crowds than Colorado's more famous rivers, the North Platte provides an authentic wilderness experience with quality whitewater and exceptional fishing for those seeking solitude.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
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Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Northgate Canyon on the North Platte?
55 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
400 – 2,000 CFS
Rapids
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No rapids logged yet for this river.
Boat Launches
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No boat launches logged yet for this river.
Camps
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No camps logged yet for this river.
Outfitters
Community-contributed. Conditions change with flow. Scout everything.
No outfitters logged yet for this river.
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Northgate Canyon on the North Platte.
What class of rapids does Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River offer?
Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River near the Colorado-Wyoming border features Class II–III rapids interspersed with calm sections ideal for fly fishing, set in a remote forested canyon in the Routt National Forest.
Do I need a permit to run Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River?
No permit is required to run Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River. It is a freely accessible section near Northgate, Colorado in the Routt National Forest.
What are the ideal flow levels for the North Platte River through Northgate Canyon?
Northgate Canyon runs best between 400 and 2,000 CFS. Flows of 600–1,200 CFS deliver the most enjoyable Class II–III experience; below 400 CFS the river becomes shallow and slow.
Is Northgate Canyon on the North Platte a good multi-day rafting trip?
Yes — Northgate Canyon is excellent as a 2-day overnight trip, offering quality Class II–III whitewater, exceptional fly fishing for wild trout, and riverside camping in one of Colorado's least-crowded river canyons.
When is the best time to run Northgate Canyon on the North Platte River?
Northgate Canyon typically runs best from May through July during snowmelt and regulated releases. Late spring offers the most reliable flows; by August water levels can drop to the lower end of the runnable range in drier years.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Northgate Canyon on the North Platte?